Bastar, a core area of operation for naxals in the state, had seen a record turnout of 75% in November’s assembly elections — the highest in a decade for this area comprising 18 constituencies and way above the 66% turnout in the 2009 polls.

Initial intelligence assessments indicated the attack was carried out as an attempt to destabilise the Lok Sabha elections, barely a month away, and scare voters.

A senior intelligence official told HT that the Intelligence Bureau had carried out an assessment of sensitive areas in the Red corridor — a stretch running through the heart of the country linking naxal-affected regions in nine states — and Sukma was high on the list. The same list was then shared with naxal-affected states by the home ministry.

“The naxals were building up for an attack because of their inability to do much during the assembly elections. From the reports currently available with us, they were unhappy with their inability to carry out a major attack,” another security official told HT.

An injured man is taken for treatment after Maoists attacked a CRPF search party near Tongpal in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. PTI Photo

This attack took place in the same area where the rebels ambushed a Congress convoy in May last year, killing most of the party’s senior leaders, including Mahendra Karma, who had created the anti-naxal civilian militia Salwa Judum.

“This indicates the naxals have an advantage over security forces and are watching their movements. Tuesday’s road opening team was attacked from two sides and several women comprised the ambush party,” a senior CRPF official said.

Officials in New Delhi and Raipur are now worried about increased attacks in the run-up to the elections in Bastar, which goes to polls on April 10. “Soon, there will be a clamour for more troops,” the CRPF official said.